Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 730 - 729: Encountering Gao Laozhuang

"I don’t want to not want to," Tian Peng said. "Who wouldn’t want to marry and have children? It’s just that I don’t like being told what to do. I want to find that kind of mutual affection, that kind of mutual affection, General Chen, do you understand?"

"Not at all," General Chen replied. "My wife and I were also brought together by go-betweens. What are you implying, Great General, that my wife and I are not mutually affectionate?"

"I never said that, I’m speaking for myself, why do you keep bringing yourself into it?" Tian Peng said. "Anyway, this kind of thing can’t be forced, it must happen on its own."

Tian Peng just said this to Chen Gong off the cuff—all those were just empty words, which couldn’t be taken seriously.

Although he shouldn’t rush into marriage, he also couldn’t just reply to the Emperor casually—it was a matter of trust, and it couldn’t be clearly explained in a letter.

Tian Peng crumpled the letter in his hand into a ball and threw it on the ground, then said to Chen Gong, "Prepare the horse, I’m going back to Chang’an."

"Are you going back alone?" General Chen asked. "How about I come with you? At least I could offer some advice when needed."

"Forget it, I’ll go back by myself. You just keep watch over the border," Tian Peng said.

General Chen laughed helplessly, "I told you, General, you are someone who doesn’t understand others’ hints. If I go back to Chang’an with you, I can also see my wife and daughter on the way."

Tian Peng paused, then had a sudden realization and laughed, patting General Chen on the shoulder.

"Look at that, I forgot all about it. Alright then, you can come back to Chang’an with me, but it will be just the two of us, no troops or horses, otherwise the Emperor might think we’re trying to show force," he said.

"Great General, don’t worry, am I not clear on that? I’ll have someone prepare for us right now," he said.

The next day, Tian Peng and Chen Gong set out from the northwest, preparing to report back to the Emperor in Chang’an.

He had to clarify his intentions to the Emperor. If the Emperor still didn’t trust him, then he would have to let the Emperor strip him of his military rank. If that didn’t work, then it would simply mean the Emperor was incompetent.

Tian Peng and Chen Gong rode back on horses. The journey back would take three months, and since it wasn’t urgent, they didn’t hurry.

Sometimes, when they encountered any bustling small towns along the way, they would stop to rest before continuing on their journey.

They traveled along the border and didn’t take the usual shortcuts, mainly to survey the people and see if other places were as peaceful as the current northwest.

About half a month into the journey, the two arrived at a small town where the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. The town had many special features that Tian Peng had never seen before, and he suggested staying to enjoy the town for a couple days before leaving.

General Chen also wanted to buy some things to bring back for his wife and daughter. Besides, being the Great General, even if he didn’t want to stay he had to. So he agreed to Tian Peng’s suggestion.

After enjoying the town for a day and as dusk approached, they were looking for a place to stay when they encountered a procession carrying a bridal sedan chair.

"How strange—it’s so late, why is there a bridal procession? Aren’t weddings usually held in the morning?"

"Great General, since you haven’t even married, you wouldn’t know about these things," General Chen replied, not finding it strange at all, and he laughed.

"This is indeed a wedding procession, but they are not welcoming a principal wife. At this time of day, with such a simple sedan chair, they are welcoming a concubine. It’s not unusual for this time and place," he said.

Tian Peng suddenly understood, "Oh, I see. I really didn’t know that. I’m from the countryside and not very knowledgeable," he said.

The latter was a joke, and Chen Gong didn’t take it seriously; he just laughed, and they continued their search for an inn.

After finding one, the two paid the fee, and while the room was being prepared inside, they sat down in the lounge to drink tea, waiting to go up together once the room was ready.

As they were enjoying their tea, the people at the next table began gossiping over drinks and food.

"That wedding procession went by—lots of people saw it."

"I saw it too, just as I arrived. It flashed right by; they must have just left, not having fetched the bride yet."

Tian Peng listened to their conversation without saying a word as he drank his tea. It must have been the wedding procession he and Chen Gong had just seen.

Could there be more to the story? The things they were discussing didn’t seem to be so straightforward. If it were just a normal taking of a concubine, there would have been no need for such tones in their voices.

"Speaking of which, it’s really pitiful for Miss Gao. I heard her family has three daughters, all married and with children, except for the youngest one, who was also supposed to marry into a good family. She hardly ever steps out of the house, and now, the one time she does, that bully took a fancy to her."

"Indeed, the Elder Village Chief is just too kind. This is his territory, and yet, some bully from another place causes trouble on his land, and he can’t even deal with it."

"Easier said than done. That bully isn’t one of us from the Great Tang, and it’s not easy for the authorities to intervene, especially when it concerns a girl who is of marriageable age. If a daughter can be traded for peace between two parties, who would bother with such matters?"

Chen Gong also sensed something was off. He put down his teacup and asked, "Great General, what they are talking about seems to be that palanquin we saw outside. Could it be that the marriage wasn’t by mutual consent?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Tian Peng didn’t know the details, but it wasn’t within their jurisdiction. It’s best not to meddle in others’ affairs like a dog trying to catch mice.

"Let’s listen a little longer and see what the local officials think," Tian Peng suggested.

The next table resumed their talk: "It’s true. The Elder Village Chief had sought the officials’ help, but they wouldn’t interfere. They even said it was a win-win situation. ’It’s just your daughter getting married, what’s with the wailing and lamenting? She will have to marry sooner or later anyway.’"

"Exactly. The officials only care about their own interests. That tyrant has been in cahoots with them for a long time, and he’s given all sorts of betrothal gifts to the officials to prevent any delay of his affairs. Now look, the Elder Village Chief is indeed pitiful—no betrothal gifts, and he has to give away a daughter."

"Look at the way you put it—as if the Elder Village Chief cares about the money. What he cares about is his daughter. It’s just so unfortunate."

"Sigh, let’s just drink!"

They began drinking again, their conversation allowing Tian Peng and Chen Gong to piece together the whole affair through their remarks.

"General, should we get involved in this matter?"

"I can’t say for certain. How about we go meet with the officials first?" Tian Peng proposed.

"If we go to the officials now, I’m afraid the wedding on their side is already complete," said Chen Gong. "We’ve just seen the palanquin on its way to fetch the bride; they might have already brought her back by the time we left."

He had a point. Tian Peng tapped his fingers on the table and then said, "Let’s first go see the Elder Village Chief then."

That seemed like a good plan. Chen Gong gathered his things, stood up, and followed Tian Peng out.

The Elder Village Chief of Gao Laozhuang was easy to locate. With just a few inquiries, everyone directed them on their way, so they mounted their horses and headed there.